<< Back 10/8/03 Efforts begin to preserve Francis Mill SMN Tanna Timbes of Waynesville is launching an effort to restore an old water wheel grist mill in the Francis Cove community of Haywood County and is inviting folks to help. “Unfortunately, the landscapes and historic structures that help define our heritage are becoming fewer and farther between. Each time we lose one of these symbols of our heritage, we lose a part of ourselves,” Timbes said. “Our goal is to make the mill open to the public and to school groups in order to make them more aware of our mountain culture.” Timbes has founded the Francis Mill Preservation Society and has engaged the help of restoration expert Jeffrey Finch with Heritage Conservation Network in Colorado to take on the project of restoring the old corn mill. A workday to stabilize the old mill will be held on Oct. 18 and will be led by Finch. Finch will assess the structural integrity of the mill, come up with a restoration game plan and gear the workday toward protecting against further damage and deterioration until next summer when the bulk of the work will be tackled. Next July, Finch will host a two-week post-and-beam construction and restoration workshop. The Francis Mill is a water-powered grist mill that was built circa 1887 by William Francis. The mill was in operation for 90 years and still has much of its original equipment in place, including overhead belts and pulleys, wooden gears and a variety of grinders. The original yellow poplar water wheel was replaced in 1914 with a Fitz Steel Overshot Water Wheel that is still in place. It is the only remaining grist mill in Haywood County. Timbes, the great-great-granddaughter of William Francis, wants the mill to become operational again. “We hope to stabilize several large beams around the structure that are on the verge of collapse. Other chores include removing internal components and storing in safekeeping, stabilizing the roof and walls to protect against water damage, and providing support for any weary timbers,” Timbes said. Tools needed include shovels, weed eaters, hand tools, power saws, and anything else anyone wants to bring. To volunteer or join the Francis Mill Preservation Society call 828.456.6307 or email timbes1@earthlink.net. Memberships to the Francis Mill Preservation Society range from $10 for students to $50 for a family, and more for business memberships. Upon restoration, the Society will be charged with the oversight of public access to the mill for school children as well as other interested groups and individuals. For more information on the Heritage Conservation Network, see heritageconservation.net, or call 303.444.0128.